Device and Cutting Tool for Removing Skin

ABSTRACT

A device for removing skin has a grip section; a fastening section connected to the grip section; a blade holder arranged exchangeably on the fastening section; and a blade disposed in the blade holder and provided with at least one cutting edge. The blade holder is attachable in a direction transverse to a plane of the blade on the fastening section. The blade holder has two edges, facing away from one another, and is secured with the two edges by a positive-locking connection on the fastening section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for removing skin. The device comprises a grip section, an adjoining fastening section, as well as a blade holder that is exchangeably arranged on the fastening section. A blade provided with at least one cutting edge is arranged in the blade holder.

Moreover, the invention concerns a cutting tool for removing skin, in particular for the treatment of calluses, comprising a blade holder and a blade received therein and provided with at least one cutting edge.

A device as well as a cutting tool with these features is disclosed in EP 1 216 664 A2. A fastening section is arranged as an extension of the grip section of the device; a cutting tool is attached exchangeably on the fastening section. The cutting tool is comprised of a blade holder and a blade received therein. The task of the blade holder is to receive the blade and to surround it in such a way that the risk of injury is minimal when attaching or removing the cutting tool. For attaching it, the cutting tool is pushed in longitudinal direction onto the fastening section. For this purpose, the fastening section has two tabs that extend toward the grip section. When being moved in the longitudinal direction, the tabs engage recesses in the form of a slotted hole that are formed integrally on the blade holder.

The device according to EP 1 216 664 A2 is designed for use in treating calluses by a pulling action, i.e., the user pulls the device across the callus as he holds the grip section. Therefore, the tabs provided on the fastening section are oriented such that a pulling cut can be performed. If the device were used in the reverse working direction, the cutting tool could detach accidentally from the holder and this increases the risk of injury.

It is an object of the invention to provide uses in connection with removing skin that are independent of the attachment of the cutting tool on the cutting tool holder and thus enable a multitude of applications,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, this is achieved in connection with a device for removing skin of the aforementioned kind in that the blade holder is attachable in a direction transverse to the plane of the blade on the fastening section and in that it can be secured at two edges that are facing away from one another positive-lockingly on the fastening section.

In accordance with the present invention, this is achieved in connection with a cutting tool for removing skin with the aforementioned features in that the blade holder is provided at two edges that are facing away from one another with structures for positive-locking engagement on a cutting tool holder.

Such a device and such a cutting tool enable a use in more than just one working direction because the blade holder is provided at two edges that are facing away from one another with structures, for example, projections, for positive-locking securing on a cutting tool holder. In particular, the device and the cutting tool can be used for the treatment of skin by skin removal, for example, removal of calluses, not only in one working direction but also in a second working direction that is opposite to the first working direction. This enables thus varied applications for removing skin that are more independent with regard to the attachment of the cutting tool on the cutting tool holder.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependant claims.

One embodiment provides that the positive-locking securing action of the blade holder on the fastening section is realized by a first locking element that is integrally formed on the fastening section as well as a second locking element that can be released manually. Preferably, the first locking element is formed on the free end of the fastening section and the releasable second locking element is arranged on the fastening section so as to point toward the grip section. This enables an arrangement of the actuating element for releasing the second locking element in an easily accessible position in the vicinity of the grip section.

For an ergonomically beneficial arrangement of the release action of the second locking element it is proposed that an actuating button is connected with the second locking element such that the locking element and the actuating button are located on sides of the fastening section that are facing away from one another. This can be achieved constructively in a simple way in that the fastening section has a slotted hole through which a web connecting the actuating button and the second locking element extends. A simple configuration is furthermore provided when the web is longitudinally guided in the slotted hole and when in the slotted hole or in an extension of the slotted hole a pressure element is arranged that is supported in a springy fashion against the web, wherein the pressure element is preferably a coil spring.

With regard to simple manufacture and assembly it is advantageous when the web is combined of two interlocking connecting elements of which one connecting element is formed on the actuating button and the other connecting element on the second locking element. In this way, the actuating button can be connected with the second locking element simply by interlocking the two connecting elements; this provides a simple and inexpensive assembly.

According to another especially advantageous embodiment of the device the blade is flexible and is arranged to be movable by flexing in the blade holder wherein a projection of the fastening section extends into the blade holder and is supported on the blade and causing the blade to bend or curve. Only by connecting the cutting tool to the fastening section, the required bending of the blade occurs that is necessary for a satisfactory stiffening of the blade; the blade normally, i.e., when the cutting tool is not attached to the cutting tool holder, is relaxed and is held captively but relatively loosely in the blade holder. In this unbent position the blade can be seated in particular in such a way in the surrounding blade holder that the sharp cutting edge is covered by a protective wall formed on the blade holder. Only by attaching the cutting tool on the cutting tool holder, bending of the blade takes place so that then the cutting edge is exposed such that the desired skin removal action is enabled. In this way, a high degree of safety is provided with respect to cutting injuries as a result of improper use, in particular when the cutting tool is attached to or removed from the cutting tool holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device for skin removal, comprised of a cutting tool holder as well as a cutting tool that is exchangeably attached thereto.

FIG. 2 is a plan view onto the device in the area of attachment of the cutting tool.

FIG. 3 a shows in longitudinal section a first state of attaching the cutting tool to the cutting tool holder.

FIG. 3 b shows in longitudinal section a second state of attaching the cutting tool to the cutting tool holder.

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of the cutting tool, comprised of blade holder and blade.

FIG. 5 is a plan view onto the cutting tool according to FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 a is a section view according to section plane VIa-VIa in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 b is a section view analog to that shown in FIG. 6 a with the cutting tool locked on the cutting tool holder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The device for skin removal and in particular removal of calluses (callus reducer) is comprised of a cutting tool 1 that is attached exchangeably on a cutting tool holder 2. FIG. 1 shows the cutting tool 1 in its locked position on the cutting tool holder 2.

The cutting tool holder 2 is comprised primarily of a grip section 4 and an adjoining fastening section 5. The grip section 4 is preferably elongate so that it can be easily gripped by the hand of a user. An ergonomic design of the grip section 4 is advantageous. The fastening section 5 that is integrally formed at the grip section 4 serves for releasably securing the cutting tool 1. For this purpose, the following components of the fastening section 5 are provided: a locking element 12 that is movably guided thereat, an actuation button 19 for the locking element, as well as a pressure element 25 designed as a spring.

Preferably, the unit comprised of grip section 4 and fastening section 5 is made of plastic material. The functional unit of locking element 12 and actuating button 19 is also comprised of plastic material wherein the actuating button 19 should have a contrasting color in order to be easily recognized.

The cutting tool 1 that can be locked on the fastening section 5 is of a two-part configuration and is comprised of a metal blade 9 with two cutting edges 9 a as well as a blade holder 7 made from plastic material. This functional unit is exchangeable, i.e., when the blade 9 becomes dull it is exchanged and disposed of together with the blade holder 7. Since this functional unit is comprised only of two easily separable materials, recycling of the cutting tool 1 presents no technical problem.

The attachment of the cutting tool 1 on the fastening section 5 of the cutting tool holder 2 is realized by a positive-locking connection. For this purpose, the blade holder 7 is provided on two edges 27, 28 facing away from one another with projections 13, 14 that serve as structures for positive-locking securing action on the fastening section 5. When locked, the projections 13, 14 are engaged by the locking elements 11, 12 of the cutting tool holder 2. For this purpose, the free end 17 of the fastening section 5 is provided with an integrally formed first locking element 11 that engages the first structure 13. The locking element 12 engaging the other structure 14 of the blade holder 7 is designed so as to be movable and therefore releasable. For this purpose, the locking element 12 is movably supported in the longitudinal direction, i.e., in the direction of extension of the blade, on the fastening section 5.

Since only the first locking element 11 is rigid while the second locking element 12 is releasable, the cutting tool is attached to and also removed from the cutting tool holder by a pivot movement, respectively. First, the blade holder 7 with its projection 13 is positioned behind the first locking element 11. Subsequently, the blade holder is pivoted about the thus formed rotation point against the fastening section 5, i.e., in a movement direction R transverse to a plane of the blade 9. Accordingly, the projection 14 will move behind the second locking element 12 so that as a result thereof the two edges 27, 28 of the blade holder 7 that are facing away from one another are both positive-lockingly secured. In order for the blade holder 7 to snap automatically into place behind the spring-loaded second locking element 12, the projection 14 of the blade holder 7 is slanted and the second locking element 12 is also provided with a ramp 16. In this way, upon pivoting of the blade holder 7 the locking element 12 can give way against the force of the pressure element 25 designed as a spring until the projection 14 snaps into place at the rear edge 28 of blade holder behind the ramp 16.

For releasing the rear edge 28 of the blade holder 7, the second locking element 12 must be released. It is retracted in the direction toward the grip section 4 against the counteracting force of the pressure element 25. For this purpose, the locking element 12 is rigidly connected to the actuating button 19 wherein the actuating button 19 is located on the topside of the fastening section 5 while the positive locking structure of the second locking element 12 is located at the bottom side of the fastening section 5.

For a simple connection of the second locking element 12 and its actuating button 19 with regard to assembly, on both of these parts integrally formed connecting elements 24, 23 are provided. They can be locked with one another upon assembly so that the locking element 12 and the actuating button 19 are rigidly coupled with one another. The two connecting elements 24, 23 together form a web that penetrates a slotted hole 22 formed in the fastening section 5. Since the width of the thus formed web 21 is slightly less than the width of the slotted hole 22, the web 21 is longitudinally guided within the slotted hole 22. The button 19 is therefore a slide button.

The pressure element 25 is also arranged in the slotted hole 22, partially also in an extension of the slotted hole. It is supported with its fixed end in a recess of the fastening section 5 and with its other springy end rests against the web 21. In this way, it loads the second locking element 12 in the direction toward its locking position. Already because of the sufficiently strong configuration of the spring 25 an accidental release of the positive locking action is not possible when using the device. An accidental release of the rear edge 28 of the cutting tool is also prevented in that an edge 29 at the rear edge 28 of the blade holder 7 is positioned in the longitudinal direction opposite a step 30 of the fastening section 5. In this way, the locked blade holder 7 is supported to the rear toward the grip section 4.

According to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 a the blade 9 that is comprised of flexible springy spring steel is arranged captively but so as to be movable by flexing in the blade holder 7 that is comprised of plastic material. In FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 a the blade 9 is shown in the relaxed state in which the blade is flat and planar. The blade 9 is secured without any pressure load acting on its longitudinal edges 31, 30 that extend at a right angle to the cutting edges 9 a. In order for the blade 9 to not be subjected to any compression forces at its longitudinal edges 31, 32, the edges 31, 34 are positioned opposite the surfaces 41, 42 of the blade holder 7 without applying any pressure, e.g., appropriate lateral play is provided. The surfaces 41, 42 therefore do not compress the blade 9 but only limit its lateral movability within the blade holder 7. In particular, they prevent that the blade can fall out of the blade holder.

According to the illustration of FIG. 6 b, the blade 9 gains its stability required for skin removal, for example for removing calluses, only by bending or curving of the blade 9 in the blade holder 6. This is achieved by a projection 43 that is integrally formed on the fastening section 5 of cutting tool holder 2 and points toward the blade 9. The projection 43 extends so far toward the blade holder 7 that, when attaching the blade holder 7, the projection 43 contacts the blade 9 and entrains the blade 9 by applying pressure at the center of the blade 9 so that the blade 9 is curved toward the curved bottom 37 of the blade holder. Bending or curving has reached the desired level when the blade holder 7 is completely locked on the cutting tool holder 2. By means of the curvature of the blade 9 that is reached at this point and only at this point, the two cutting edges 9 a become aligned with an opening 46 provided within the blade holder 7. The shape of the opening 46 matches, in the longitudinal direction of the blade 9, the curvature of the blade 9 and is thus sickle-shaped.

On the curved bottom 37 aligning elements 36 are formed that, when the blade is curved, move into the transverse slots 39 (FIG. 4) and in this way limit the movability of the blade 9 in the longitudinal direction.

The projection 43 can be shaped at one of its two longitudinal sides or at both longitudinal sides as a slanted ramp surface 44 that extends at a slant away from the axis of symmetry of the blade holder. This surface improves removal of the callus cuttings that are produced upon use of the device so that at no point in time clogging of the blade holder 7 will occur.

When however according to FIG. 6 a the blade holder 7 is not attached to the fastening section 5 and bending of the blade 9 caused by the projection 43 is not present, the cutting edges 9 a, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the blade, are positioned opposite protective walls 47. The protective walls 47 are formed at the end faces of the blade holder 7, are curved, and are delimited by the edge 48 of the sickle-shaped opening 46. In this way, when the blade holder 7 is not attached, it is prevented that injuries are caused by the cutting edges 9 a.

FIG. 6 b shows also that the movement-limiting surfaces 41, 42 of the blade holder 7 that are positioned without contact opposite the longitudinal edges 31, 32 of the blade 9 do not exert lateral compression forces onto the blade 9, not even when the blade 9 is curved. The stabilizing bending action of the blade 9 is caused exclusively by the pressure exerted by the projection 43 in a transverse direction (transverse to the plane of the blade 9) on the blade 9, The specification incorporates by reference the entire disclosure of German priority document 10 2008 009 082.4 having a filing date of Feb. 14, 2008.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. 

1. A device for removing skin, the device comprising: a grip section; a fastening section connected to the grip section; a blade holder arranged exchangeably on the fastening section; a blade disposed in the blade holder and provided with at least one cutting edge; wherein the blade holder is attachable in a direction transverse to a plane of the blade on the fastening section; wherein the blade holder has two edges, facing away from one another, and is secured with said two edges by a positive-locking connection on the fastening section.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the positive-lockingly connection comprises a first locking element formed integrally on the fastening section and a second locking element that is adapted to be released manually.
 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first locking element is integrally formed on a free end of the fastening section and wherein the second locking element is arranged on the fastening section so as to face the grip section.
 4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the second locking element is supported by a spring force on the fastening section and wherein said spring force acts in a direction of a locking position of the second locking element.
 5. The device according to claim 2, further comprising an actuating button connected to the second locking element in such a way that the second locking element and the actuating button are arranged on opposite sides of the fastening section which sides face away from one another.
 6. The device according to claim 5, comprising a web connecting the actuating button and the second locking element to one another, wherein the fastening section has a slotted hole through which the web passes, wherein the web is longitudinally guided in the slotted hole.
 7. The device according to claim 6, comprising a pressure element arranged in the slotted hole or in an extension of the slotted hole and supported in a springy fashion on the web.
 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the pressure element is a coil spring.
 9. The device according to claim 6, wherein the web is comprised of a first and a second interlocking connecting elements, wherein the first connecting element is integrally formed on the actuating button and the second connecting element is integrally formed on the second locking element.
 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening section has a step and wherein the blade holder in a longitudinal direction of the device is supported on said step.
 11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the blade is flexible and movable by flexing in the blade holder and wherein the fastening section has a projection that extends into the blade holder and is supported on the blade by bending the blade.
 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the blade has longitudinal edges that are positioned opposite movement-limiting surfaces of the blade holder without being pressure-loaded by said movement-limiting surfaces.
 13. A cutting tool for removal of skin, the cutting tool comprising: a blade holder and a blade arranged in the blade holder and having at least one cutting edge, wherein the blade holder has two edges facing away from another and said two edges are provided with structures effecting a positive-locking connection to a cutting tool holder.
 14. The cutting tool according to claim 13, wherein the blade is flexible and movable by flexing in the blade holder.
 15. The cutting tool according to claim 14, wherein the blade has longitudinal edges that are positioned opposite movement-limiting surfaces of the blade holder without being pressure-loaded by said movement-limiting surfaces.
 16. The cutting tool according to claim 14, wherein the blade holder comprises a protective wall, wherein the protective wall covers the at least one cutting edge in a longitudinal direction of the blade when the blade is not bent.
 17. The cutting tool according to claim 16, wherein the blade holder has an opening that is aligned with the blade when the blade is bent and, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the blade, is sickle-shape, wherein an edge of the opening delimits the protective wall. 